IPOB: Tension in Enugu over sit-at-home protest

There was tension in Enugu, and other major cities in the South-East, on Monday, over the sit-at-home protest planned by pro-Biafra agitators to mark the Biafra Day on May 30.

Pro-Biafra groups, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, and the Indigenous People of Biafra, have ordered the closure of markets, and restriction of movement, to honour the memory of Biafra war heroes, and slain activists.

However, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed the Commissioners of Police to place their men and equipment on red alert to deal “decisively” with the Biafra agitators.

Our correspondent observed the deployment of anti-riot policemen at strategic locations in Enugu on Monday evening.

Combat ready police teams were cited around major markets in the metropolis, as well as the federal and state civil service secretariats.

In the same vein, the Enugu State Police Command, on Monday evening, said it would deal decisively with anybody or group that attempts to stop people from going about their normal activities.

The spokesman, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who gave the warning in a statement, said the police is working with other security agencies to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

“Ahead of the planned sit-at-home order being circulated by IPOB, MASSOB, amongst others, the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has advised members of the public to disregard such order and go about their normal lawful business.

“The Command is also advising law-abiding members of the public to watch out for any person or group of persons under any guise who will come to intimidate, threaten or force them to shut down their offices or shops and report such threat to any nearby police station.

“The Command in partnership with other sister security agencies and relevant bodies have put in place adequate machinery as security apparatus have been mobilized to fish out those in this habit and bring them to book.

“The Command has advised those intending to carry out this unpatriotic and unlawful act to change from this, as the Command working in partnership with other sister agencies in the state, will not sit and fold its arms and see innocent and law-abiding citizens of the state being molested or threatened by any person or group of persons,” Amaraizu said in the statement.

The police spokesman also released phone numbers, and social media platforms, through which members of the public could reach the Command to report any breach of law and order on May 30.